Historic Dylan Manuscript: 'Mr. Tambourine Man' Drafts Fetch $508,000 at Nashville Auction

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Original draft lyrics to Bob Dylan's iconic song "Mr. Tambourine Man" fetched $508,000 at a recent Julien's Auctions sale in Nashville, marking a notable moment in music memorabilia history.

The historical document consists of two yellow pages containing three progressive typewritten drafts of the legendary folk song, complete with Dylan's handwritten notes in the margins. While not the final version, the third draft closely resembles the released song, with some variations from the familiar recording.

These drafts originated from the personal collection of late journalist Al Aronowitz, who witnessed Dylan composing the song at his New Jersey home in March 1964. According to Aronowitz's 1973 account, Dylan wrote the lyrics at his breakfast bar, chain-smoking and repeatedly playing Marvin Gaye's "Can I Get a Witness?" on the hi-fi system.

The sale included Aronowitz's firsthand account of discovering crumpled drafts in his waste basket, which he preserved after being struck by their poetic value. "I took the crumpled sheets, smoothed them out, read the crazy leaping lines," Aronowitz wrote, describing his decision to save these early versions.

"Mr. Tambourine Man" went on to become one of Dylan's most celebrated compositions. While Dylan recorded it in January 1965 for his album "Bringing It All Back Home," The Byrds' cover version became his first composition to top both US and UK charts.

The auction also featured other Dylan memorabilia, including sketches and a 1968 oil painting. One sketch surpassed expectations, selling for $88,900 despite an initial estimate of $1,500-$2,500. The entire collection generated nearly $1.5 million in sales.

This auction coincides with renewed interest in Dylan's legacy, sparked by James Mangold's recent biopic "A Complete Unknown," which has driven substantial streaming numbers for the artist's catalog.